Hard cases make bad laws
Joseph Fletcher popularized situation ethics in U.S.
Many churches that opposed him then now embrace his conclusions
I. Biblical Situation AndGod’s Law (Mt.12:1-8)
I. Biblical Situation AndGod’s Law (Mt.12:1-8)
Report: “Hunger of disciples set aside law of
God; Jesus defended them” Wrong: verse 7, guiltless
Dt.23:25 They violated only tradition of elders
“Reaping” was one of 39 kinds of work forbidden on Sabbath
Reply # 1: v.3-4, David
4, entered house of God (not fields) 4, ate special loaves (not grain)
Some say David sinned; Jesus exposed Pharisaical hypocrisy
Another view: Jesus questions their use of the law itself
Have you not read…?
Pharisees appeal to interpretation;Jesus appeals to Scripture
“Not lawful”: their term (2…10)
Pharisees forgot God’s mercy (7)
Accident fallacy (hasty generalization): there are exceptions
Cannot applyto disciples
(7)
Cannot applyto priests
(5)
Why applyto David
(4)?
HungryMt.12:1, 3
In needMk.2:25
Inquired1 Sm.21-22
Exceptions to some laws
Jn.7:21-23, circumcision – sabbath 1 Pt.2:13, law (Ac.4:19-20) 2 Sm.12:5, 13
Hb.10:25
Some misuse exceptions:Lv.10; 2 Sm.12:5, 13; 2 Chr.30
Reply # 1: v.3-4, David
Reply # 2: v.5, priests Lv.24:8; Nu.28:9-10: Sabbath exceptions
Contradicts Pharisees’ view of Sabbath One greater than temple:
Priests profaneprofane Sabbath: are guiltlessguiltless. Their work exceeded the disciples’ plucking of grain; Law required it
Knows Sabbath better than they. Disciples serve greater and true Temple of God, the Son of man
Reply # 1: v.3-4, David Reply # 2: v.5, priests
Reply # 3: v.7, they are innocent
Not determined by situation, but by provision in Scripture itself
They violated no law Pharisees condemned the guiltlessguiltless, v.7
Reply # 1: v.3-4, David Reply # 2: v.5, priests Reply # 3: v.7, they are innocent
Reply # 4: v.8, Lord of Sabbath
Lord of the Sabbath knows better than they what violates it
Jesusviolated
theirtraditions
Phariseesviolated
theScriptures
I. Biblical Situation And God’s Law (Mt.12:1-8)I. Biblical Situation And God’s Law (Mt.12:1-8)
II. Modern Situations AndGod’s Law (Mt.12:1-8)
II. Modern Situations AndGod’s Law (Mt.12:1-8)
1. Atheism:location determines beliefs
Iranian; Italian; German; British; US 1st century: Mt.28; Mk. 16; Lk.24; Ac.
1:8, bold teaching, hard evidence If Jesus was raised from dead, why not
tell everyone? Mt.8:11, international Savior
2. Faith alone
Inconsistent: if faith is only item mentioned, it is “alone” [1 Pt.3:21]
Situation ethics: on way to be baptized, hit by car [Jesus said…but…]
Emotional appeal: dying soldier; Floyd Collins
The thief False assumption:
If emotions determine issue . . . universalism
“Are you saying X is lost because he was not baptized?”
Repented
Confessed sins
Defended Jesus
Believed Jesus
3. Missionary society
Briney: voluntary w/in church method aid people lost w/o it
Col.1:23 Would God give us a work w/o
organization to do it?
Some reject M. Society, but:*repeat its error*use its proofs (emotions, not Scripture)
4. Morals
Gambling: “Supports education; pays taxes, builds roads, makes life better”
Slippery slope: Nevada counties tax fornication Where is the Scripture? It is covetousness (ads)
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